By Vaughn
Paul Manley, M.A.
The beginning of the New Year brings with it the hope of new
possibilities. We get a clean slate to write our future -
or at least one year of it. We make resolutions, re-organize,
and sow new seeds. "We are what we repeatedly do,"
wrote Aristotle, the 4th century Greek philosopher. To
change who we are we need to change our habits. Our habits
determine our karma. Karma means action, and it also means
the results of our actions. The English poet, John Dryden
said, "We first make our habits, and then our habits
make us" - for better or for worse. We're creatures
of habit, and the good news is that we get to choose our habits.
The power of intention is no small thing. It can radically
change the direction of our lives, and our karma from this
point forward.
It's important to realize that our karma is flexible, it changes
with our intentions and disciplined efforts. Isn't it interesting
that Saturn is both the 'lord of karma' and the planet of
discipline? Saturn likes routines and setting good habits
that are sustainable for the long duration.
It's often said that it takes 21 days to change a habit.
However, it makes more sense to me, from an astrological standpoint,
that it takes the full cycle of the Moon or about 28 days.
If the Moon passes through the twelve signs, the twenty seven
nakshatras, and transits over every planet, and you're still
diligent with your new habit, then I would think you've got
it. It's going to be easier the second time the Moon passes
through the zodiac. The Moon represents our habits, particularly
our habits of mind.
The best time to make a committment, or a vrat, to
start new habits is on the day that the Moon is transiting
over your natal Moon. This is also called the Moon's transit
over the janma nakshatra, birth star, or lunar constellation.
It's also the recommended time for spiritual practices and
retreat. I would suggest making your committment last until
the Moon returns to the same position, twenty eight days later.
Then your habit should 'make you', as John Dryden would say,
from that point forward.
Copyright
2010. Vaughn Paul Manley. All Rights Reserved. |
